I frequently lambast the police for being wolves out to feast on the sheep as we drive around. My view is that traffic enforcement is a tax hiding in the skirts of dubious public safety benefits.
So here is a fellow who was stopped for not signaling for 3 seconds – one of the laws I’ve bitched is too difficult to follow and is arbitrarily enforced:
Looks like somebody I want off the streets.
But then I read the fine print. He also had a concealed weapon – something I think is a right that shouldn’t require a permit. He had paraphernalia, which I presume is a means to smoke the marijuana caught on him. Trouble is, I think that should be legal too!
So yes… this stop caught a dude, minding his own business, who likes weed. That is a dubious payback for viewing police like they are feasting on you not helping you.
Note: Lest you think I’m some crackpot libertarian pothead that thinks hemp products are the key to our sustainable and prosperous economic future. In fact, I’ve never used an illegal drug in my life. But I concede some will and don’t really care if they do.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 am
I’d say you picked a pretty bad example to support your libertarian pricnciples. Regardless of what you think the law ought to be, carrying a concealed weapon without a permin is illegal. Possession and use of marijuana is illegal. Do libertarians advocate ignoring whatever law you find disagreeable?
What else do you know about this guy? Whats his criminal history? Is he here legally? My experience with guys like this is that the cops have only just hit the tip of the iceberg with him. His history of offending, both known and unknown to the police, is likely extensive.
As the father of two, I would think this is exactly the guy you want the cops to stop and “harrass”, leaving you free to drive without signalling.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
I know he is probably a tip of the iceberg guy but I had to go on what was on the report. And I didn’t think anything on the report should be a crime.
The problem is that the cops don’t harass just that guy. They stop and bug everybody. Seeing them in the mirror isn’t a comforting feeling. It’s a “what they hell is he going to nitpick on me and take $200″.
And yes, sometimes mass ignoring of stupid laws is a good idea. I’d love for everybody to do that with taxes.